Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana McKnight.
Hi Dana, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Thank you for having me! I really appreciate the opportunity to share my story.
To answer your question, thinking about how I started Magnolia Content Studios it still makes me smile because the journey was totally unexpected. It all started when I turned our dining room into a content space for our family blog. Real talk, we’re not really the formal dining type anyway, so why not? I needed a place to create content, and our dining room was just sitting there, so I cleared it out, set up some lights, and started shooting.
That experience completely opened my eyes. I saw what happened when you actually had a dedicated creative space. Everything just flowed better. The content looked more professional, I felt more focused, and honestly? It was just more fun. That’s when it clicked, “What if other creators had access to this too?”
Now, I didn’t just jump straight into opening a studio. I spent 7 years as a Key Accounts Sales Rep in the apparel, home, and gift industry. I was building strategies that drove real engagement and results for brands—learning what made people buy, what made them connect, what actually moved the needle. But what I really loved was watching brands come to life, and I wanted to create a space where that could happen for everyone, not just big companies with huge budgets.
So when the opportunity came to open Magnolia Content Studios, I knew exactly what I wanted to build. Somewhere photographers and videographers could bring their clients, and businesses could walk in with an idea and walk out with content that actually represents their brand.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not smooth. I think the biggest challenge has been wearing all the hats. By that I mean keeping the studio running while also trying to grow it.
When you own a studio, you’re not just the creative director. You’re also the bookkeeper, the marketing team, the cleaning crew, the tech support, and the person making sure the lights work and the Wi-Fi doesn’t cut out mid-shoot. It gets to be a lot.
And here’s the thing: I’m a bit of a perfectionist. Which is great when it comes to delivering for clients and making sure every detail is right. But I have a hard time letting go of control or accepting “good enough” when I know it could be better. That slows things down sometimes.
I’m learning to delegate more and trust my team, but it’s a process. The studio has taught me that you can’t do everything yourself and still do it well—even though I keep trying.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I run Magnolia Content Studios, but it’s so much more than just a studio rental space. We’ve built a full ecosystem for small businesses, and that’s what I’m most proud of.
Think of it in layers. The foundation is the studio itself. It’s where photographers and videographers produce content, and small businesses create their branding. But we’ve built so much more around it.
We also offer the strategy and execution. My background in sales and brand building means I understand what actually drives results, so we help businesses figure out their messaging, create content that converts, and show up consistently without burning out.
And then there’s the community piece. We host small events and networking opportunities because I’ve seen how powerful it is when small business owners connect with each other. It’s not just about renting a room—it’s about being part of something bigger.
What sets us apart is that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. You can come in just for the space, or you can tap into our full team for social media, email marketing, and digital strategy. It’s flexible, it’s accessible, and it’s built specifically for people who are trying to grow their businesses without a massive budget or a full-time marketing department.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
This is easy! The fact that I can make my own schedule and actually be present for my family.
I left my corporate career to open the studio, and I know that sounds backwards, like, who leaves a stable job to work more hours? But it was never really about working less. It was about having control over my time.
In my corporate role, I traveled a lot—trade shows, customer visits, you name it. ANd while I loved what I did, I was missing things. Important things.
That said, being in corporate absolutely shaped my discipline and ability to get things done. Those years taught me how to execute, manage time, and deliver results—and I bring all of that into running my business.
Our youngest daughter is an equestrian and rides competitively. We spend a lot of time at the barn and traveling to horse shows. I wanted to be there for that. Now, I can be. I can run the studio, grow my business, and show up for my family in ways I couldn’t before.
That flexibility—that ability to build a life and a business on my own terms—that’s what makes me happy. I’m not just working to pay the bills. I’m building something that supports the life I actually want to live.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://magnoliacontentstudios.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magnoliastudiosgso/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555358040803
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-mcknight-2018622ba/
